Logan Bero: How long is a piece of string? This is such a huge topic that there are volumes of books about it. If you are a climate change skeptic or are unsure look up the "Precautionary Principle" to understand why governments around the world are trying to do something. "Going Green" does't need to mean wearing sandles and weaving baskets. There are many things that individuals and businesses can do that can really save them money, conserve energy, reduce our dependence upon fossil fuels and help prevent climate change as a bonus on top. Good Luck....Show more
Libby Berkovitch: To me, the ideal "going green" is a very individual thing. We all have such different lives and needs that we can't assign a blanket green action for everyone. The things you mentioned are certainly part of, but may not always apply or come close to defining what it is."Going green" is a way of cutting back on our effect on the earth. I think the best word of your list is indeed conser! ving energy. People nowadays in first-world socities tend to get by on a lot more than most people did throughout history. Of course you might be able to find exceptions to that, but when one considers the comparision of what one needs with what one uses, it can really make you think. Green marketing has become an economic powerhouse. Everywhere you look people are selling by using green slogans. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but just because something is advertized as green does not mean it will fit your personal description. Green is a very broad term. Does it mean organic? Recyclable? Recycled? Biodegradable? Fair trade? Cost less energy to make? Reusable? I do think all of those could fit the bill. They're all good things.But all those definitions will not suit everyone's ideal green lifestyle. For example, a lot of people are into the organic movement. They like the idea of not pesticides, or organic pesticides, or natural farming. But the flip ! side of that is that organic pesticides can be just as a human! -harmful, and organic growing often means less plants on more land. Also, is buying an organic something half-way across the world worth the shipping effect? Many things may indeed be recycled or recyclable, but there are many times where recycling isn't all that efficient.So how does one decide what is best?It's going to depend on YOU and what works best for YOU. What is the most efficient way to meet your needs and even some of your wants? Maybe you are right by an efficient recycling center where recycling is worth it. But maybe recycling is so inconvenient it's best tossed. Maybe the cost of washing dishes is more than buying paper plates you can just compost. Also, what you need is not what someone else needs. Maybe someone is able to live in a very small house with few needs... because they only have themselves to care for. Which is great. But what about those who have a family?A book I highly recommend you look into for the green movement is "Up Tunckett Road! ". In it, the author and his family homestead on a farm while he teaches green living at college. He felt his wife making bread the oldfashioned way saved a lot of energy. But then his wife bought a used breadmaker. Her reasoning was that it was much quicker, freed her up to do other activities, and continued the use of the breadmaker that was already in existence.Your group should definitely look into recycling, but also consider composting (is there a school garden, perchance?) energy efficiency, reusing things (clothing drives, etc.), and always be aware of just how effective and green that activity is....Show more
Seema Hosfeld: we should protect the world where we live. so it is important.
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